'World's oldest virgin' revealed why she said no for 108 years
Living over 100 years is quite the achievement, but living over 100 years and never having had sex is something else.
Clara Meadmore passed away in 2011 at the age of 108. The centenarian lived quite a life before he passing, having lived in the UK, New Zealand and Canada.
In her 20s, she worked as a housekeeper and secretary before doing her bit for Britain during World War 2 when she traveled to Egypt to serve in the army.
Ultimately, Clara retired in Cornwall in the 1960s, but it wasn't until she hit the age of 104 that she went into a nursing home.
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As I'm sure you can imagine, people had many questions for Clara — the main one being what lifestyle factors she attributed to her long life.
Speaking on her 105th birthday in 2008, Clara said that plenty of walking and the odd glass of wine had helped her lived so long, as well as remaining celibate all her life.
But why didn't she have sex?
"I grew up in an era where little girls were to be seen and not heard, so I had to stand up for myself and earn a living," she was quoted by Mail Online.
"I've had lots of platonic friendships with men but never felt the need to go further," Clara added.
Apparently people would question if Clara was gay, but she insisted that that wasn't the case.
"People have asked me whether I am homosexual and the answer is no. I have just never been interested in sex," she shared, per The Guardian.
"I imagine there is a lot of hassle involved and I have always been busy doing other things."
Also speaking on her 105th birthday, Clara's best pal Josie insisted that Clara didn't act like she was a centenarian.
Josie mused: "You're as young as you feel. Clara is by no means 105 in many ways. Maybe never having a man under her feet has kept her young all these years."
Say it louder for the people in the back, Josie.
Clara reportedly knew at the age of 12 that she had no interest in marrying.
In previous interviews she resolved: "Everything seems so fast these days. I don't know a lot about young people or the way they do things. I'm sure its very different.
"I made my mind up at the age of 12 never to marry and I've not gone back on that.
"[...] People have their own views on sex, but I was never interested in it. I just never met anyone I wanted to marry, and I’ve always been happy alone."
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Niamh Shackleton